James Shields

[TKGuy]

With the Rays looking to dump Bj Upton, could They be in market for Span. Looks like TB holds club options for Shields for $9 million for 2013 and $12 million for 2014. I'v seen fom sources that Their RH starters could be available.

[James Richter]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Shields is a lot like Brad Radke (workhorse, good K/BB, too many HRs), and just the sort of proven front-of-the-rotation guy the Twins should be looking to sign in the offseason for similar AAV. What's great about Shields vs. comparable FAs is that they don't have to commit to more than 2 years, and can even make it 1 if they want. The fiscally challenged Rays can plug one of their serfs into the rotation while saving $10M+ between Shields and Upton. As we know, Span's game translates very well to turf, and he's a Tampa native. Though if they really want to save money in the short term, they might prefer Revere. I would trade either one straight up for Shields. (Or Hellickson. Or Cobb. Not Wade Davis, though.)

[James]

I don't know that the Twins would want to trade a valuable trade chip (Span) for a veteran pitcher. If one pitcher was all that the Twins needed, then maybe. But I think if the Twins decide to trade Span, they should go for young guys with high upside. Shields is a good pitcher and I would love to have him in the rotation, but I really wouldn't be happy if we traded Span for Shields straight up.

 

Now if there were a trade for Shields and a few Rays pitching prospects for Span and one or two Twins prospects, that might be a different story.

[Erock]

This is just a swing in the dark, but I wonder if the Rays would be interested in a Span + Liriano for Shields + specs. This helps them in their race this year, gives them a cheaper CF option then Upton, plus they will get the picks (which they love) for offering Liriano the 12 million. Meanwhile, we stabilize our rotation while adding pieces that can benefit our team and come up around the same time as the Hendriks, Gibson, Benson, Hicks, Arcia, Rosario, Sano train comes rolling on through in the next couple years.

 

Something like.. Denard Span and Francisco Liriano for James Shields, Chris Archer, and Ryan Brett and some lesser valued prospect with marginal upside.

[FrodaddyG]

This is just a swing in the dark, but I wonder if the Rays would be interested in a Span + Liriano for Shields + specs. This helps them in their race this year, gives them a cheaper CF option then Upton, plus they will get the picks (which they love) for offering Liriano the 12 million. Meanwhile, we stabilize our rotation while adding pieces that can benefit our team and come up around the same time as the Hendriks, Gibson, Benson, Hicks, Arcia, Rosario, Sano train comes rolling on through in the next couple years.

 

Something like.. Denard Span and Francisco Liriano for James Shields, Chris Archer, and Ryan Brett and some lesser valued prospect with marginal upside.

No picks for guys who weren't on your roster to start the year, so the only team that could potentially get picks for Liriano is the Twins.

[notoriousgod71]

While Shields is infinitely better than any starter on our roster besides Liriano he isn't that good. He had an amazing season last year but this year and his 2009-2010 seasons were not good. That said, I'd welcome him with open arms since like I said he is better than anyone we would have next season.

[Oxtung]

Why would the Twins trade for Shields when there are quite a few FA's that are going to be on the market this winter that are as good or better than James Shields? In other words, why give up Span for something you can just sign this offseason? FYI he costs $9M in 2013 and $12M in 2014 with $1M and $1.5M buyouts respectively according to Baseball-Reference.

[John Bonnes]

I don't know that the Twins would want to trade a valuable trade chip (Span) for a veteran pitcher. If one pitcher was all that the Twins needed, then maybe. But I think if the Twins decide to trade Span, they should go for young guys with high upside. Shields is a good pitcher and I would love to have him in the rotation, but I really wouldn't be happy if we traded Span for Shields straight up.

 

Now if there were a trade for Shields and a few Rays pitching prospects for Span and one or two Twins prospects, that might be a different story.

Dead on.

[DaveW]

Revere for Shields straight up. Boom.